Oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG-ODN) restores immune regulatory functions of airway macrophages of patients with asthma.

Allergic asthma is characterized by the polarization of Th2 cells and impaired immune regulation. Macrophages occupy the largest proportion of airway immune cells. This study aims to discover the mechanism that hinders the immune regulatory functions of airway macrophages. In this study, macrophages were isolated from cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) collected from asthma patients and normal control (NC) subjects. The results indicated that macrophages occupied the largest portion of the cellular components in BALF. The frequency of IL-10+ macrophage was significantly lower in asthma patients than in NC subjects. The expression of IL-10 in macrophages of BALF was associated with the levels of asthma-related parameters. The immune-suppressive functions of BALF M0 cells were defective in asthma patients. The inducibility of IL-10 expression was impaired in BALF macrophages of asthma patients, which could be restored by exposing to CpG. In conclusion, the induction of IL-10 in macrophages of BALF in asthma patients was impaired, and it could be restored by exposure to CpG.

The transcription factor MYB43 antagonizes with ICE1 to regulate freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Previous discovering meticulously illustrates the post-translational modifications and protein stability regulation of ICE1 and their role in cold stress. However, the studies on the interaction of ICE1 with other transcription factors, and their function in modulation cold stress tolerance, as well as in the transition between cold stress and growth are largely insufficient. In this work, we found that maltose binding protein (MBP) 43 directly binds to the promoters of CBF genes to repress their expression, thereby negatively regulating freezing tolerance. Biochemical and genetic analyses showed that MYB43 interacts and antagonizes with ICE1 to regulate the expression of CBF genes and plant's freezing stress tolerance. PLEIOTROPIC REGULATORY LOCUS 1 (PRL1) accumulates under cold stress and promotes MYB43 protein degradation; however, when cold stress disappears, PRL1 restores normal protein levels, causing MYB43 protein to re-accumulate to normal levels. Furthermore, PRL1 positively regulates freezing tolerance by promoting degradation of MYB43 to attenuate its repression of CBF genes and antagonism with ICE1. Thus, our study reveals that MYB43 inhibits CBF genes expression under normal growth condition, while PRL1 promotes MYB43 protein degradation to attenuate its repression of CBF genes and antagonism with ICE1, and thereby to the precise modulation of plant cold stress responses.

Regulatory module WRKY33-ATL31-IRT1 mediates cadmium tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most dangerous environmental pollutants among heavy metals, and threatens food safety and human health by accumulating in plant sink tissues. Here, we report a novel regulatory cascade that profoundly influences Cd tolerance in Arabidopsis. Phenotypic analysis showed that an insertional knockdown mutation at the Arabidopsis Tóxicos en Levadura 31 (ATL31) locus resulted in hypersensitivity to Cd stress, most likely due to a significant increase in Cd accumulation. Consistently, ATL31-overexpressing lines exhibited enhanced Cd stress tolerance and reduced Cd accumulation. Further, IRON-REGULATED TRANSPORTER 1 (IRT1) was identified, and yeast two-hybrid, co-immunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays demonstrated its interaction with ATL31. Biochemical, molecular, and genetic analyses showed that IRT1 is targeted by ATL31 for ubiquitin-conjugated degradation in response to Cd stress. Intriguingly, transcription of ATL31 was strongly induced by Cd stress. In addition, transgenic and molecular analyses showed that WRKY33 directly activated the transcription of ATL31 in response to Cd stress and positively regulated Cd tolerance. Genetic analysis indicated that ATL31 acts upstream of IRT1 and downstream of WRKY33 to regulate Cd tolerance. Our study revealed that the WRKY33-ATL31-IRT1 module plays a crucial role in timely blocking Cd absorption to prevent metal toxicity in Arabidopsis.

First report of Fusarium ussurianum causing leaf spot on Hemerocallis citrina in Sichuan Basin of China.

Hemerocallis citrina is a popular vegetable crop in China, due to abundant nutrients in its edible flower buds. In March 2021, serious symptoms of leaf spot were observed on nearly 90% cultivated H. citrina seedlings in the fields of Dazhou city (31°17'56″ N, 107°31'59″ E), Sichuan, China. Symptomatic leaves were collected from 15 seedlings in five different sampling sites (3 seedlings per site). Small pieces (5 × 3 mm) of lesion margin were excised, surface disinfected in 70% ethanol for 20 s and 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) for 40 s, washed, dried, placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with streptomycin sulfate (50 mg/L) and incubated in dark at 25 ℃ for two days. Finally, eight purified isolates, HHC-FL22, HHC-FL23, HHC-FL25, HHC-FL26, HHC-FL27, HHC-FL28, HHC-FL29 and HHC-FL30, showing similar morphology were obtained through transferring hyphal tips to fresh PDA plates. On PDA plates, mycelia were initially white but gradually became light yellow, and scarlet diffusible pigments were also produced with time. On carnation leaf agar, our isolates produced slightly curved macroconidia with 4 to 8 septa that measured 3.1 to 5.7 × 36.8 to 69.3 µm (n = 30). Microconidia and chlamydospores were not observed. Our isolates were initially identified as Fusarium species based on morphological features (Leslie and Summerell 2006). To further confirm accurate identity, primers EF1/EF2 (O'Donnell et al. 2010), TRI1015B/TRI1013E (Hao et al. 2017), RPB1-F5/RPB1-G2R (O'Donnell et al. 2010), and fRPB2-5F/fRPB2-11aR and RPB2-5f2/RPB2-7cr (O'Donnell et al. 2012) were used to amplify gene sequences of translation elongation factor-1 alpha (TEF1), 3-O-acetyltransferase (Tri101), and DNA-directed RNA polymerase II largest (RPB1) and second largest subunit (RPB2), respectively. Our sequences were deposited in GenBank under accession numbers OQ860946 to OQ860953 (TEF1), OR393245 to OR393252 (Tri101), OP131893 to OP131900 (RPB1), and OQ860954 to OQ860961 and OP131885 to OP131892 (RPB2), respectively. BLASTN searches of our sequences showed 99 ~ 100% identity with TEF1 (FJ240301.1), Tri101 (FJ240345.1), RPB1 (MW233297.1) and RPB2 (KM361666.1) of F. ussurianum NRRL 45681, and 99.05 ~ 100% identity with TEF1 (FJ240305.1) and Tri101 (FJ240349.1) of F. ussurianum NRRL 45833, respectively. Two independent maximum-likelihood phylogenetic trees based on different combined datasets of TEF1, Tri101, RPB1 and RPB2 of Fusarium species confirmed that our isolates were F. ussurianum. To test pathogenicity, conidial suspension from HHC-FL23 (106 conidia / mL) were sprayed to seedlings of cultivar "chuanhuanghua No.1" (n = 3) and incubated in a greenhouse (25°C under 90% relative humidity, 16/8 h light/dark cycle). Controls were treated with ddH2O. Ten days post-inoculation, natural symptoms appeared on leaves inoculated with HHC-FL23, but control group seedlings remained disease-free. This experiment was repeated three times. All re-isolated pathogens from diseased leaves were molecularly and morphologically identified using methods described above. Consequently, the re-isolated fungi were identical to these inoculated. The leaf spot disease could cause foliar damage and even drastic yield loss of flower buds under severe conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. ussurianum causing leaf spot in H. citrina worldwide. Our study will assist in monitoring causal agent diversity of leaf spot and breeding new resistant varieties in H. citrina.

Biparental genetic mapping reveals that CmCLAVATA3 (CmCLV3) is responsible for the variation in carpel number in melon (Cucumis melo L.).

KEY MESSAGES: Genetic analysis revealed that CmCLV3 is a candidate gene for the variation in melon carpel number. Carpel number (CN) is an important trait in melon. Three-CN melon fruit is oval, while 5-CN melon fruit has a round or flat shape. Herein, a genetic analysis of a population in which the CN locus was segregated indicated that 3-CN is controlled by a major dominant effective gene. Bulked segregant analysis and initial linkage mapping placed the CN locus in a 6.67 Mb region on chromosome 12, and it was narrowed to 882.19 kb with molecular markers and recombinant plants. Fine mapping with a large F2 population containing 1026 individuals further narrowed the locus to an 83.98 kb region harboring five annotated genes. Gene structure alignment between the parental lines revealed MELO3C035640.2 (annotated as CLAVATA3, CmCLV3) as the best candidate gene for the CN trait. CmCLV3 was more highly expressed in 3- than 5-CN lines and specifically expressed in terminal buds rather than in young leaves, hypocotyls, and roots. The CmCLV3 coding region was cloned from eight 3- or 5-CN melon accessions, and a nonsynonymous SNP site was highly correlated with CN variation. This SNP site was also related to CN variations among 40 melon lines according to their resequencing data, causing a helix alteration in the CmCLV3 protein. Promoter region sequence alignment and activity analysis showed that, unlike in cucumber and tomato, CmCLV3 promoter variation and activity were not the main reasons for CN alteration. Overall, this study provides a genetic resource for melon fruit development research and molecular breeding tools for melon CN improvement.

A MYB/bHLH complex regulates tissue-specific anthocyanin biosynthesis in the inner pericarp of red-centered kiwifruit Actinidia chinensis cv. Hongyang.

Many Actinidia cultivars are characterized by anthocyanin accumulation, specifically in the inner pericarp, but the underlying regulatory mechanism remains elusive. Here we report two interacting transcription factors, AcMYB123 and AcbHLH42, that regulate tissue-specific anthocyanin biosynthesis in the inner pericarp of Actinidia chinensis cv. Hongyang. Through transcriptome profiling analysis we identified five MYB and three bHLH transcription factors that were upregulated in the inner pericarp. We show that the combinatorial action of two of them, AcMYB123 and AcbHLH42, is required for activating promoters of AcANS and AcF3GT1 that encode the dedicated enzymes for anthocyanin biosynthesis. The presence of anthocyanin in the inner pericarp appears to be tightly associated with elevated expression of AcMYB123 and AcbHLH42. RNA interference repression of AcMYB123, AcbHLH42, AcF3GT1 and AcANS in 'Hongyang' fruits resulted in significantly reduced anthocyanin biosynthesis. Using both transient assays in Nicotiana tabacum leaves or Actinidia arguta fruits and stable transformation in Arabidopsis, we demonstrate that co-expression of AcMYB123 and AcbHLH42 is a prerequisite for anthocyanin production by activating transcription of AcF3GT1 and AcANS or the homologous genes. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that AcMYB123 or AcbHLH42 are closely related to TT2 or TT8, respectively, which determines proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis, and to anthocyanin regulators in monocots rather than regulators in dicots. All these experimental results suggest that AcMYB123 and AcbHLH42 are the components involved in spatiotemporal regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis specifically in the inner pericarp of kiwifruit.

Smart, Elastic, and Nanofiber-Based 3D Scaffolds with Self-Deploying Capability for Osteoporotic Bone Regeneration.

It has been a major challenge to treat osteoporotic bone defects with irregular shapes. Although bioactive glass offers an attractive material for bone regeneration, its inherent brittleness has greatly limited its scope of application. Herein, we report the fabrication of bioactive glass (SiO2-CaO) nanofibers with excellent flexibility to even allow for 180° bending. The bioactive glass nanofibers could be further assembled into 3D fibrous scaffolds with chitosan serving as the linkers. The scaffolds constructed from an assembly of 85SiO2-15CaO nanofibers and chitosan (85SiO2-15CaO NF/CS) possessed significantly better mechanical properties when benchmarked against both 75SiO2-25CaO nanofiber- and chitosan-based scaffolds. Moreover, the 85SiO2-15CaO NF/CS scaffolds exhibited an elastic behavior, with full recovery from 80% compression and good fatigue resistance over 1000 cycles of compression under water. Upon implantation, the elastic fibrous scaffolds were able to deform and fit irregularly shaped bone defects, followed by a self-deploying behavior to achieve a perfect match with the cavities. When applied to the repair of an osteoporotic calvarial defect in a rat model, the 85SiO2-15CaO NF/CS scaffolds showed substantial promotion of bone regrowth and vascularization. This new class of 3D fibrous scaffold provides a promising advancement in engineering smart materials for complex bone repair.

Toward Activity Origin of Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction on Carbon-Rich Crystalline Coordination Polymers.

The fundamental understanding of electrocatalytic active sites for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is significantly important for the development of metal complex involved carbon electrocatalysts with low kinetic barrier. Here, the MSx Ny (M = Fe, Co, and Ni, x/y are 2/2, 0/4, and 4/0, respectively) active centers are immobilized into ladder-type, highly crystalline coordination polymers as model carbon-rich electrocatalysts for H2 generation in acid solution. The electrocatalytic HER tests reveal that the coordination of metal, sulfur, and nitrogen synergistically facilitates the hydrogen ad-/desorption on MSx Ny catalysts, leading to enhanced HER kinetics. Toward the activity origin of MS2 N2 , the experimental and theoretical results disclose that the metal atoms are preferentially protonated and then the production of H2 is favored on the MN active sites after a heterocoupling step involving a N-bound proton and a metal-bound hydride. Moreover, the tuning of the metal centers in MS2 N2 leads to the HER performance in the order of FeS2 N2 > CoS2 N2 > NiS2 N2 . Thus, the understanding of the catalytic active sites provides strategies for the enhancement of the electrocatalytic activity by tailoring the ligands and metal centers to the desired function.

Phase Structure Transition and Properties of Salt-Free Phosphoric Acid/Non-ionic Surfactants in Water.

Precise control of phase structure transition for the synthesis of multi-dimensional soft materials is a fascinating target in amphiphilic molecule self-assembly. Here, we demonstrate a spontaneous formation of a closely packed lamellar phase consisting of uni- and multi-lamellar vesicles through the incorporation of a small amount of an extractant, di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (DEHPA), into the highly swollen, planar lamellar phase of a non-ionic tetraethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C12EO4) surfactant in water. It is figured out that the introduction of negative membrane charges results in the electrostatic repulsion among the lamellae, which suppresses the Helfrich undulation and induces a phase structure transition from planar lamellae to closely packed vesicles. Our results provide important insight into amphiphilic molecule self-assembly, where additives and pH can satisfy the opportunities for the precise tuning of the lamellar structures, which makes a way for the development of lamellar soft materials.

CC chemokine receptors are prognostic indicators of gastric cancer and are associated with immune infiltration.

BACKGROUND: CC chemokine receptors are responsible for regulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) and participating in carcinogenesis and tumor advancement. However, no functional study has investigated CC chemokine receptors in gastric cancer (GC) prognosis, risk, immunotherapy, or other treatments. METHODS: We conducted a bioinformatics analysis on GC data using online databases, including the Human Protein Atlas (HPA), Kaplan-Meier (KM) plotter, GeneMANIA, MethSurv, the University of ALabama at Birmingham CANcer (UALCAN) Data Analysis Portal, Gene Set Cancer Analysis (GSCA), cBioportal, and Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource (TIMER). RESULTS: We noted that CC chemokine receptor expression correlated with survival in GC. CC chemokine receptor expression was also strongly linked to different tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Additionally, CC chemokine receptors were found to be broadly drug-resistant in GC. CONCLUSION: Our study identifed CC chemokine receptor expression helped in predicting the prognosis of patients diagnosed with GC. The expression level of the CC chemokine receptors was also positively related to multiple tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). These findings provide evidence to monitor patients with GC using CC chemokine receptors, which can be used as an effective biomarker for predicting the disease prognosis and be regarded as a therapeutic target for modulating the tumor immune microenvironment.

Nemo mRNA vaccination improves airway barrier function in mice with airway allergy.

Epithelial barrier dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Th2 bias. The mechanism requires further clarification. NEMO is associated with regulating apoptotic activities in the cell. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of insufficient Nemo signals in developing Th2 bias in the respiratory tract. Nemof/fEpcam-Cre mice (A mouse strain carrying NEMO-deficient epithelial cells. NemoKO mice, in short) was generated. An airway Th2 bias mouse model was established with the ovalbumin/alum protocol. The NemoKO mice exhibited spontaneous airway Th2 bias. Respiratory tract epithelial barrier integrity was compromised in NemoKO mice. Apoptosis was found in approximately 10% of the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract in NemoKO mice. The reconstruction of the Nemo expression restored homeostasis within the epithelial barrier of the airways. Restoration of Nemo gene expression in epithelial cells by Nemo mRNA vaccination alleviated Th2 bias in mice with airway allergy. To sum up, NEMO plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the epithelial barrier in the respiratory tract. Administration of NEMO mRNA vaccines can restore epithelial barrier functions and alleviate Th2 bias in the airways.

Triple-layered core-shell fiber dressings with enduring platelet conservation and sustained growth factor release abilities for chronic wound healing.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one of the most popular biomaterials in regenerative medicine. However, the difficulties encountered in its preservation, and the requirement for on-demand preparation severely limit its application. In addition, its rapid degradation in the wound microenvironment makes the sustained release of growth factors impossible and finally reduces the therapeutic effect on chronic wounds. Here, a multifunctional dressing based on triple-layered core-shell fibers for loading and enduring preservation of PRP was developed using a one-step coaxial bioprinting technique combined with freeze-drying. The platelets were effectively dispersed and immobilized in the core layer of the fiber, leading to a sustained release of growth factors from the PRP. The rate of release can be controlled by adjusting the triple-layered core-shell structure. Simultaneously, the triple-layered core-shell structure can reduce the deactivation of PRP during freezing and storage. The experimental findings suggest that PRP exhibits sustained activity, facilitating the process of wound healing even after a storage period of 180 days. Furthermore, the protective mechanism of PRP by the triple-layered core-shell fiber was investigated, and the conditions for freeze-drying and storage were optimized, further enhancing the long-term storability of PRP. As a result, the multifunctional core-shell fiber dressings developed in this study offer a novel approach for sustained growth factor release and the enduring preservation of active PRP.

Haplotype-resolved genome assembly provides insights into evolutionary history of the Actinidia arguta tetraploid.

Actinidia arguta, known as hardy kiwifruit, is a widely cultivated species with distinct botanical characteristics such as small and smooth-fruited, rich in beneficial nutrients, rapid softening and tolerant to extremely low temperatures. It contains the most diverse ploidy types, including diploid, tetraploid, hexaploid, octoploid, and decaploid. Here we report a haplotype-resolved tetraploid genome (A. arguta cv. 'Longcheng No.2') containing four haplotypes, each with 40,859, 41,377, 39,833 and 39,222 protein-coding genes. We described the phased genome structure, synteny, and evolutionary analyses to identify and date possible WGD events. Ks calculations for both allelic and paralogous genes pairs throughout the assembled haplotypic individuals showed its tetraploidization is estimated to have formed ~ 1.03 Mya following Ad-α event occurred ~ 18.7 Mya. Detailed annotations of NBS-LRRs or CBFs highlight the importance of genetic variations coming about after polyploidization in underpinning ability of immune responses or environmental adaptability. WGCNA analysis of postharvest quality indicators in combination with transcriptome revealed several transcription factors were involved in regulating ripening kiwi berry texture. Taking together, the assembly of an A. arguta tetraploid genome provides valuable resources in deciphering complex genome structure and facilitating functional genomics studies and genetic improvement for kiwifruit and other crops.

Superhydrophobic, Highly Conductive, and Trilayered Fabric with Connected Carbon Nanotubes for Energy-Efficient Electrical Heating.

Current electrically heated fabrics provide heat in cold climates, suffer from abundant wasted radiant heat energy to the external environment, and are prone to damage by water. Thus, constructing energy-efficient and superhydrophobic conductive fabrics is in high demand. Therefore, we propose an effective and facile methodology to prepare a superhydrophobic, highly conductive, and trilayered fabric with a connected carbon nanotube (CNT) layer and a titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle heat-reflecting layer. We construct polyamide/fluorinated polyurethane (PA/FPU) nanofibrous membranes via first electrospinning, then performing blade-coating with the polyurethane (PU) solution with CNTs, and finally fabricating FPU/TiO2 nanoparticles via electrospraying. This strategy causes CNTs to be connected to form a conductive layer and enables TiO2 nanoparticles to be bound together to form a porous, heat-reflecting layer. As a consequence, the as-prepared membranes demonstrate high conductivity with an electrical conductivity of 63 S/m, exhibit rapid electric-heating capacity, and exhibit energy-efficient asymmetrical heating behavior, i.e., the heating temperature of the PA/FPU nanofibrous layer reaches more than 83 °C within 90 s at 24 V, while the heating temperature of the FPU/TiO2 layer only reaches 53 °C, as well as prominent superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 156°, indicating promising utility for the next generation of electrical heating textiles.

Graph-Based Pangenome of Actinidia chinensis Reveals Structural Variations Mediating Fruit Degreening.

Fruit ripening is associated with the degreening process (loss of chlorophyll) that occurs in most fruit species. Kiwifruit is one of the special species whose fruits may maintain green flesh by accumulating a large amount of chlorophyll even after ripening. However, little is known about the genetic variations related to the fruit degreening process. Here, a graph-based kiwifruit pangenome by analyzing 14 chromosome-scale haplotype-resolved genome assemblies from seven representative cultivars or lines in Actinidia chinensis is built. A total of 49,770 non-redundant gene families are identified, with core genes constituting 46.6%, and dispensable genes constituting 53.4%. A total of 84,591 non-redundant structural variations (SVs) are identified. The pangenome graph integrating both reference genome sequences and variant information facilitates the identification of SVs related to fruit color. The SV in the promoter of the AcBCM gene determines its high expression in the late developmental stage of fruits, which causes chlorophyll accumulation in the green-flesh fruits by post-translationally regulating AcSGR2, a key enzyme of chlorophyll catabolism. Taken together, a high-quality pangenome is constructed, unraveled numerous genetic variations, and identified a novel SV mediating fruit coloration and fruit quality, providing valuable information for further investigating genome evolution and domestication, QTL genes function, and genomics-assisted breeding.

[The pilot study of the effect of paclitaxel by local application on scar formation after airway injury in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of local application of paclitaxel on airway scar formation after airway injury in rabbits. METHODS: Forty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, negative control group (n = 10), saline control group (n = 10), group I (n = 10), group II (n = 10). All rabbits received tracheotomy. In negative control group, the specimens were harvested for histological examination and immunohistochemical analysis immediately after tracheotomy;in other three groups, rabbits received airway injury after tracheotomy. In group I and group II, 0.4 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml paclitaxel was applied locally in injured airway segment for 3 minutes after airway injury. The normal saline was used in control group for 3 minutes. The animals were killed in 21 days after operation. The specimens were harvested for histological examination and immunohistochemical analysis. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the ultrastructure of paclitaxel-induced apoptotic cells. RESULTS: The degree of stenosis in group I and group II were significantly decreased compared to those in saline control group [saline control group (59 ± 13)%, group I (27 ± 8)%, group II (22 ± 7)%]. Histological examination showed fibroblast cells and inflammatory cells in group I and group II were significantly fewer than in saline control group. The TGF-ß1 positive cells and VEGF positive cells in group I and group II were significantly decreased compared to those in saline control group (P < 0.05). Paclitaxel-induced cell apoptosis and injured cell organs were observed by transmission electron microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Local application of paclitaxel inhibits airway scar formation after airway injury in rabbit model, and the inhibition is dose dependent. Paclitaxel may have a therapeutic potential for the treatment of airway stenosis caused by endotracheal intubation, tracheotomy or implantation of airway stents.

[Serum proteomic analysis of cicatricial airway stenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To establish serum protein fingerprint profile in patients with cicatricial airway stenosis and compared with healthy control. METHODS: Serum samples of 17 cicatricial airway stenosis patients and 17 healthy persons were analyzed by SELDI-TOF-MS to select the differently expressed proteins through Biomarker Wizard software. RESULTS: Compared with healthy control, 49 protein biomarkers were identified. Among them, 25 proteins were up-regulated, 24 proteins were down-regulated. These proteins were confirmed by searching database. CONCLUSIONS: There are obvious differentially expressed proteins in patients with cicatricial airway stenosis and controls, which may related with the development of airway scar.

Biomimetic three-layer hierarchical scaffolds for efficient water management and cell recruitment.

Taking inspiration from the structures of roots, stems and leaves of trees in nature, a biomimetic three-layered scaffold was designed for efficient water management and cell recruitment. Using polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as raw materials, radially oriented nanofiber films and multistage adjustable nanofiber films were prepared through electrospinning technology as the base skin-friendly layer (roots) and middle unidirectional moisture conductive material (stems), the porous polyurethane foam was integrated as the outer moisturizing layer (leaves). Among which, radially oriented nanofiber films could promote the directional migration of fibroblasts and induce cell morphological changes. For the spatially hierarchically nanofiber films, the unidirectional transport of liquid was effectively realized. While the porous polyurethane foam membrane could absorb 9 times its weight in biofluid and retain moisture for up to 10 h. As a result, the biomimetic three-layered scaffolds with different structures can promote wound epithelization and drain biofluid while avoiding wound inflammation caused by excessive biofluid, which is expected to be applied in the field of skin wounds.

Platelet-rich plasma-loaded bioactive chitosan@sodium alginate@gelatin shell-core fibrous hydrogels with enhanced sustained release of growth factors for diabetic foot ulcer healing.

The ability of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel to promote rapid wound healing without immunological rejection has opened new avenues for the treatment of diabetic foot wounds. However, PRP gel still suffers from the quick release of growth factors (GFs) and requires frequent administration, thus resulting in decreased wound healing efficiency, higher cost as well as greater pain and suffering for the patients. In this study, the flow-assisted dynamic physical cross-linked coaxial microfluidic three-dimensional (3D) bio-printing technology, combined with the calcium ion chemical dual cross-linking method was developed to design PRP-loaded bioactive multi-layer shell-core fibrous hydrogels. The prepared hydrogels exhibited outstanding water absorption-retention capacity, good biocompatibility as well as a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect. Compared with clinical PRP gel, these bioactive fibrous hydrogels displayed a sustained release of GFs, reducing the administration frequency by 33 % availably during the wound treatment, but more prominent therapeutic effects such as effective reduced inflammation, in addition to promoting the growth of granulation tissue and angiogenesis, the formation of high-density hair follicles, and the generation of regular ordered and high-density collagen fiber network, which suggested great promise as exceptional candidates for treatment of diabetic foot ulcer in clinical settings.